Westminster Abbey Listens to Violinist for Japan Earthquake Memorial

Westminster Abbey, one of the most significant buildings in England echoed the beautiful sounds of Solo Violinist Diana Yukawa as she paid respect with a performance at The Great East Japan Earthquake Memorial Service.
In the presence of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, The Mayor of Westminster and HE Mr. Keiichi Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan together with some 2000 people at Westminster Abbey Diana performed Summer Elegy from her album The Butterfly Effect.
The Dean and Chapter of Westminster welcomed HRH The Duke of Gloucester, patron of the Japan Society as well as HE Mr Keiichi Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan, to Westminster Abbey for the time of remembrance for the earthquake that devastated the north-eastern coast of Japan, on 11 March 2011.

The service was conducted by the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, and the Address was given by the Venerable Dr Michael Ipgrave, Archdeacon of Southwark. Mr Henry Bellingham MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office was also present.
A floral tribute was laid at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial during the Act of Remembrance. In addition to a prayer of commendation offered by the Dean, Buddhist monks from Nipponzan Myohoji offered prayers for the living and the dead.
The evening had a great balance of east meets west, perhaps most notably so with violinist Diana Yukawa being half British and half Japanese.
A retiring collection was taken in aid of the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal.
If you are in a position to give – please do so by clicking the link on the footer of this webpage.
Westminster Abbey Article
Violinist Diana Yukawa

Solo Violinist Back in the Studio

Following on from a world wind year that included appearance at some of the most prestigious events from the Summer Proms to supporting Katherine Jenkins, Diana Yukawa has returned to the studio to write once more. Currently working on new material, the young violinist will be pushing the boundaries of her previous work, moving towards more modern sounds that really demonstrate the violins beauty and versatility.

At only 25 years of age, award winning solo violinist Diana Yukawa released two albums with BMG Japan before signing to Sony Music Japan as an international artist to release the third. Yukawa teamed up with world-renowned producer, Andy Wright (Massive Attack, Jeff Beck), to work on 2009’s “The Butterfly Effect”, an album that saw her inject a modern twist and sparkling originality into the classical strings of the violin.

Due for a 2011 release, Diana’s next album will see the young protégé return with an even fresher, more invigorating approach to inspiringly original material. We can only expect that Diana’s experiments with a more modern sound will yield harmonies that are just as, if not more, sumptuous and thrilling than her critically acclaimed discography.

The solo violinist will also be embarking on an array of exciting collaborations for her forthcoming effort, from multi-instrumentalists and renowned composers to guest vocalists. All of whom will help the violinist create the evocative and beautifully crafted sweeping melodies that she has become famous for.

The musician is looking forward to returning for the festival season next year accompanied by fresh material to delight the crowds. Watch this space… exciting things are about to happen.

Violinist Diana Yukawa’s Website

Diana Perfoms Halo Music at Video Game Awards

Solo Violinist Opens Dubai Swimming Championship

FINA World Swimming Championship Opens with Solo Violinist in Dubai

Dubai threw its arms wide open to the swimming world and Violinist Diana Yukawa as her solo performance marked the opening of the 10th Fina World Swimming Championships (25m) got under at the brand-new Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sports Complex on 15th December.

The opening, that was held in two parts, first witnessed the formal inauguration of the £250 million complex followed by the opening of the championships in the presence of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The ceremony unfolded an artistic tale that begins with the nomadic heritage of the UAE, travelling through the golden sands of the desert and time and concluding with the flourishing of the coastal port of Dubai.

The theme of water, echoed in the Championships' colours of turquoise and aquamarine was central to the opening, showcasing the marriage between sports and culture, while also capturing the traditional Arabic heritage and modern innovation that are the two integral faces of a vibrant and booming Dubai today.

This was followed by the parade of the participating countries — up to a record 153 from the earlier number of 148 — carrying their respective national colours. The cheering crowd was treated to a heavenly sight as solo violinist, Diana Yukawa descended on a special platform, opening the extravaganza whilst acrobats suspended from the roof of the pool formed the backdrop.

Video Game Awards 2010
Halo Music
FINA World Swimming

Solo Violinist Performs Halo Music at 2010 Video Game Awards in LA

Solo Violinist Performs Halo Music at 2010 Video Game Awards in LA

Video Game Awards
Halo Music
FINA Swimming Championship

Diana Yukawa Dressed Like a Princess by Elizabeth Emanuel

Known for her incredible finesse as a violinist, the young Diana Yukawa has played a string of stunning live dates across the UK this summer dressed in equally stunning outfits. The Japanese born, London raised virtuoso has always had impeccable taste and a flair for fashion:

“I don't really consider myself to be fashionable and I don't always follow or know the latest trends as I often prefer more quirky, unique items”, says Yukawa. “I'm more interested to develop my own style to suit my personality. I love vintage clothes and mixing old and new (as well as East and West!).”

Appearing in Elizabeth Emanuel at Kenwood House as part of the Summer Proms English Heritage Picnic Concert, the beautiful Yukawa wowed crowds with original pieces from her latest album “The Butterfly Effect.” Her dress was equally striking, as the fairytale-esque layered cream satin and glittering sequins fluttered in the gentle summer breeze. “As a performing artist, I like to take as much care on the visuals as the music. An audience listens with their eyes first and then their ears.”

Emanuel, of course, is most well known for dressing a different Diana, the Lady Diana Spencer (Princess Diana). It was Emanuel’s iconic designs that Lady Diana wore in 1981 as she wed HRH The Prince of Wales that turned the young designer into an overnight sensation. Since then, Emanuel has dressed countless celebrities from Elizabeth Taylor, Charlize Theron and Twiggy to Enya, Lulu and now Diana Yukawa.

At only 25 years of age, award winning solo violinist Diana Yukawa has already released three albums with BMG and Sony Music and will be returning to the studio to work on new material to be released in 2011 in the UK. Yukawa is looking forward to returning to for the festival season next year and dressing for the occasion.

Violinist Diana Yukawa Website

Dressed Like a Princess by Elizabeth Emanuel

Diana Yukawa Supports Katherine Jenkins

Dressed Like a Princess Diana Yukawa

Friday Night Is Music Night Again Welcomes Diana Yukawa

Sensational solo violinist Diana Yukawa was invited back to BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night as a special guest for the Kiri Prize final. The young violinist performed Meditation from Thais by Massenet together with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Salut d'amour by Elgar.

Friday Night is Music Night has launched a nationwide hunt with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to find an opera star of the future.The Radio 2 Kiri Prize is a new initiative offering one winner a unique opportunity to sing with Dame Kiri at Radio 2’s Proms in the Park event later this year, and the chance to attend a three week residential course at the Solti Te Kanawa Academia in Italy.

Diana Yukawa has recently headlined at the Kenwood House Picnic concerts, opened a new music event in Dubai as well as supported Katherine Jenkins at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Signed to Sony Music Japan as an International artist, the solo violinist has had several successful albums and has recently released her new album The Butterfly Effect. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with Producer Andy Wright, the album’s innovative compositions hint at Yukawa’s new modern musical direction, revealing the violin as a truly diverse instrument.



The contemporary violinist is now working on new material for her next album. The new material is expected to be developed further from that of her latest album and is expected to include many collaborations, including vocalists – something Diana has always been keen on.

Diana looks forward to introducing her new sound over the coming months and returning to the festival season - for which her team are now taking bookings.

Listen to Diana Yukawa - Friday Night is Music Night on 3rd September 2010, BBC Radio 2.

Friday Night Is Music Night

Violinist Website

Diana Supports Katherine Jenkins

Violinist Diana Yukawa Headline at Picnic Concerts

English Heritage Picnic Concerts, as part of the Summer Proms, is one of the largest and most respected music events of the summer. This past Saturday saw thousands of people descend upon Kenwood House and the beautiful surroundings of Hampstead Heath to witness the young award-winning violinist Diana Yukawa grace the stage.

Reunited with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, (with whom she recorded her second album), conducted by John Rigby, Diana looked stunning as she gave an incredible world-class performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Wearing Elizabeth Emanuel, who has dressed celebrities including HRH The Princess of Wales, the beautiful London based virtuoso also wowed crowds with an original piece from her latest album “The Butterfly Effect.” The stunning composition of Summer Elegy (written by David Whitaker) was expertly executed by young Diana.
Diana also led Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: Summertime as well as a heart rendering version of Williams’ Schindler’s List: Main Theme.

A show brimming with such emotion and soaring strings could only have been met with rapturous applause, as the classical masterpieces performed alongside Diana’s own modern musical journey prove that she will always be a fantastic traditional player and an exciting original talent.

Having already supported Katherine Jenkins earlier this summer, this show is one of the many fantastic venues that the talented Diana has played throughout her career: having dazzled a 60,000 strong audience at the Khalifa Stadium in Qatar, played a sold-out Hollywood Bowl and made an appearance at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Signed to Sony Music Japan as an International artist, Diana has had several successful albums and has recently released her new album The Butterfly Effect. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with Producer Andy Wright, the album’s innovative compositions hint at Yukawa’s new modern musical direction, revealing the violin as a truly diverse instrument.

At only 24, Diana has led an extraordinary life: Born in Tokyo to an English ballet dancer and a Japanese banker just 3 weeks after the 1985 Japan Airlines disaster that took her father’s life, Diana has crossed cultural boundaries in her personal life and experiments with those boundaries in her musical output.

The Kenwood Picnic concert season is one of London’s most popular alfresco music events, with artists such as Florence and The Machine, Rufus Wainwright, Diana Krall, Will Young and Jamie Cullum delighting audiences in addition to Diana Yukawa. And after her triumphant concert, Diana will be retuning to the studio to work on new material to be released in 2011 in the UK as she looks forward to returning to the festival season - for which her team are now taking bookings.

Violinist Diana Yukawa Website

Diana Headlines Picnic Concerts

Diana Supports Katherine Jenkins